Whenever I used Windows, I loved Win2k. Unfortunately it is no longer supported and I would not trust it now (even less than I would trust any version of Windows now). I can't vouch for Vista since I've never used it. However, if all of the rumors I've heard are true, I'd stay away from it. So I can only recommend XP out of that list. XP isn't horrible but much more bloated than 2k. I can only imagine Vista being even more bloated. Coming from me, a devout KDE user, I think that says alot.

Well, in the pre-vista world I would probably choose Win2K because everyone I know who has used it a lot, has the best regards for it among it's other Micro$haft peers; with the total end of lifing getting closer though, I would however be very cautious of /how/ I used it. In the post-visa world now that 98SE/2K are essentially history, I think I would choose vista *if* the price and pains invovled was equal to that of XP - fat chance of that.

Because I only require windows for gaming, I would of course choose Windows XP, at the moment I find it the most stable and reliable choice all around.... until XP becomes like the Windows 98 in those old "Supported Operating Systems: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP" labels, the old banana rather then the best supported flavor.

For the games we play, I'm actually surprised some of my teammates can use Vista + Quad Core CPU + G80 comparable graphics cards and still get the games to function usably.

For all 2K choices, there is also Windows 2003 which aims to be replacement for 2000 and is supported.

__________________religions, worst damnation of mankind"If 386BSD had been available when I started on Linux, Linux would probably never had happened." Linus TorvaldsLinux is not UNIX! Face it! It is not an insult. It is fact: GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”.vermaden's:linksresourcesdeviantartspreadbsd

__________________religions, worst damnation of mankind"If 386BSD had been available when I started on Linux, Linux would probably never had happened." Linus TorvaldsLinux is not UNIX! Face it! It is not an insult. It is fact: GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”.vermaden's:linksresourcesdeviantartspreadbsd

I chose Windows XP becuase IMHO it is by far the stable and secure (when correctly patched) operating system next to BSD,Solaris/OpenSolaris and Linux. At present i i am writing thias post from my recently converted Hp Pavilion a6230n (former Windows vista/XP victim) wich I am happy to repor handles OpenSolaris SVN_101a quite better than it handled Windows vista (Vista/XP. IMHO the United States and other international governments should have intervinwed and devided up Microsoft aka (Shitrosoft).

__________________ Google Linux is a Green Horns Best Friend (GHBF).
Windows = a 32 bit extensions to a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit operating system originally coded for a four bit processor written by 2-bit monopolistic software company founded by a .3-bit Harvard Drop out, who can't stand one respectable bit of competition.
If I believe something to be immoral a will not keep quite and let my voice of annoyance be heard loud and clear.

With all the information Microsoft is releasing at its launchtastic Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles this week, CEO Steve Ballmer sent out a honking long missive to customers who have opted into the software giant’s “Executive Email” program (who knew?).

Along with the Azure–finally, a lovely and apt brand name from Microsoft–cloud services offering, it also outlines the inevitable and unavoidable path for the company, which has long struggled in getting its digital strategy right.

That includes cloudy browser versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other of its powerhouse software products.

Cooking 20080716 - Web boot and MPlayer
SliTaz project members are proud to announce the availability of a new Cooking version, including many new features and bug fixes. This version provides the boot option web which lets you boot SliTaz from the internet using gPXE from boot.slitaz.org.

Back to centralized applications servers (be they cloudy).

OTOH, some apps which only work on Windows now are migrating to Vista at least. These will become cloudy sooner or later.

Nice: by soon you will not be able to register and login anymore, all you would need is a valid Visa card number.

Afaik, W2K was a milestone.
Now, 2003? 2007? ...
Windows 7 I guess, but not on the desktop box as we know it.

Windows 7 ... should be named 6.1 (an propably will be inernally) cause its only something like Vista + SP2 (Vista was 6.0).

__________________religions, worst damnation of mankind"If 386BSD had been available when I started on Linux, Linux would probably never had happened." Linus TorvaldsLinux is not UNIX! Face it! It is not an insult. It is fact: GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”.vermaden's:linksresourcesdeviantartspreadbsd

Windows 7 ... should be named 6.1 (an propably will be inernally) cause its only something like Vista + SP2 (Vista was 6.0).

Windows 7 comes after 2008.

If you search you will find comment of Ballmer expecting less sales for Vista as corporate is waiting for Windows 7.

Anyway, my personal take: Billion-Bill stepped out from the executive chair as he felt sales of OS and desktop apps are at an end.
Am not even sure that Google with the Google apps has the business model to become a leader in cloud computing: other companies have been created by design from the ground up, no need to adapt or change.

Check this one for example:http://blogs.computerworld.com/is_windows_7_really_vista_sp2_in_disguise

__________________religions, worst damnation of mankind"If 386BSD had been available when I started on Linux, Linux would probably never had happened." Linus TorvaldsLinux is not UNIX! Face it! It is not an insult. It is fact: GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”.vermaden's:linksresourcesdeviantartspreadbsd

The GUI in Windows 7 will probably be the most "new" thing about it - unless you've used a lot of window managers. I wouldn't be surprised if they just split development of "the big kahuna" in two: Vista and 7, to be remearged years later for triple the price in Windows NT 8.0 once everyone forgets the version numbers :-)

I've yet to see anything innovative out of Microsoft, aside from how to prove theories on promotions.

__________________religions, worst damnation of mankind"If 386BSD had been available when I started on Linux, Linux would probably never had happened." Linus TorvaldsLinux is not UNIX! Face it! It is not an insult. It is fact: GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”.vermaden's:linksresourcesdeviantartspreadbsd

Will Windows 7 be Vista SP2 in disguize or Windows Azure rebranded?
And when?
Even under Bill, the releases always were later than expected to achieve less than expected.

We now are entering a renting model, or a utilities model (monthly charge such as power or natural gas). Far from the Microsoft one license per screen.
Don't see how Microsoft or Dell will cope with this. Appel already has the iPod with controversial cell-ohone networks exclusivities.
Nokia could become the largest "computer" provider (as it already claims to be the largest camera manufacturer). They already have a cell phone with keyboard. Well, useable if you use the eraser side of a pencil.

My phone provider currently offer an LG KS360 for 149 Euro (with pencil-eraser keyboard
Of course, with a trap, must use the Vodaphone mobile film subscription.
This is early stages. I guess, by soon, harware will be given away.
And be "absolutely useless" without the proper subscription.

I think I ordered the spares for my last desktop this week-end.
Shortest warranty is 24 months for the MB. Maybe the switch to cloud will be sooner.
----
Edit,
rem: Ballmer also cited Midori some weeks ago.
Now, SIPs, containers, VMs, ... same objective: separate processes and consolidate servers.
Tool has to be chosen. One provider will win.
----
Re-edit:
Thinking of power savings.
A pencil-eraser terminal sure uses less Watts than a game desktop.
Consolidated servers use less power than the sum of individual desktop PCs.
Hence, they are "green", and "green" is in.
The next US presidency is all about "green" budget and "green" jobs.
That cloud computing could well be there very soon.